Some of those other animals include goats, rats – not lab rats, either, but pet rats – hamsters, gerbils, rabbits, ducks and geese, ferrets, turtles, an occasional bird, snakes and even chickens.

“We try to find a farm that will take some of those,” Clark said.

R and R Research has been a serously controversial issue for years at the shelter. It took the county’s unadoptable animals and gave them for scientific research. The current board and the previous board of county commissioners were not responsible for agreeing to the contract, which does not expire until 2014. Currently, in an effort to fulfill the contract, the animal shelter is delivering just one animal per year for research. That company also disposes of the dead animals, Clark said.

The shelter could use some money, he said.

Those wishing to donate may choose where they want the money to go, such as a neutering fund or shelter to shelter transfer fees. Clark said they will also gratefully accept items such as dishwashing and laundry detergents, bleach or cat litter.

“We’re pretty good on dog food, but we could use some cat food,” he said.

Those wishing to donate may send checks to the Gratiot County Animal Control Office at 2675 West Washington Road, Ithaca, MI 48847. They will also take checks and credit cards, he said.